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Biomechanics of the Lymphatic Circulation

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Lymphedema

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Abstract

The biomechanical nature of the lymphatic system plays a central role in all of its functions. Its ability to generate active pumping is key in fluid balance, as demonstrated by disruptions of the various pumping components that result in primary and acquired lymphedema. There are also serious implications for immune function if lymphatic transport is disabled. In this chapter, we present the basic biomechanical concepts necessary to understand lymphatic pumping function and discuss recent research on some of its specific components.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Note that these units of pressure denote the heights of a column of fluid. Any surface area at rest at the bottom of a column of fluid would be subjected to a compressive stress directly proportional to the density of the fluid, the height of the column, and the gravitational acceleration constant.

  2. 2.

    There is some evidence that lymph nodes actively contract and thus perhaps aid in propelling lymph [10].

Highlighted References

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge NIH Grant No. R01 HL094269 and the support of the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and the Sir Leon Bagrit Trust.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK

    James E. Moore Jr. & Lowell T. Edgar

Authors
  1. James E. Moore Jr.
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  2. Lowell T. Edgar
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to James E. Moore Jr. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for the Lymphedema and Vascular Malformations, Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

    Byung-Boong Lee

  2. Falk Cardiovascular Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA

    Stanley G. Rockson

  3. La Jolla, California, USA

    John Bergan

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Moore, J.E., Edgar, L.T. (2018). Biomechanics of the Lymphatic Circulation. In: Lee, BB., Rockson, S., Bergan, J. (eds) Lymphedema. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52423-8_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52423-8_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-52421-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-52423-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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